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A great TV unit which comes assembled

When we moved into our new house over a year ago we had decided to update the furniture once we had finished decorating as we didn't want to ruin anything whilst in the process of painting, tiling and wallpapering etc. This also gave us chance to look around to find what we were wanting rather than feel like we were rushed into buying something we liked and didn't love.

Last year we were browsing in Argos for a few items mainly lighting but had a quick scan of their furniture range and came across their Hygena Strand range. I knew I wanted walnut effect furniture in my living room but due to having dogs, cats and a child who would use the living room I didn't want to spend a ridiculous fortune on furniture. In the end we opted for the 3 piece Hygena Strand package but will review each separately.

The first item to review is the Hygena Strand TV Entertainment Unit. Fortunately this TV entertainment unit already comes self assembled which is perfect as not only does it save time but it can be used straight away (you do however have to fit the silver handle on the glass door). Of course to order the item you can do so in store on via their website but it is only available for home delivery so you cannot order and collect in store so you will need to be home on the delivery day.

As I mentioned above the TV Entertainment unit is part of the Strand collection and does come in other wood effects but I opted for Walnut. To look at it has a "contemporary" curved top which has a matt walnut finish to it. It features to the one side a glass door which when opened has shelves in and to the other side there is a drawer has one half which of course leaves the other half as extra shelving. In total the unit is 53cm (H) x 130cm (W) x 41cm (D).

This item is pretty large and in a small room it would definitely look out of place. It is however ideal for storing plenty of DVDs as it does have quite a bit of storage and the added drawer makes it handy for storing remotes, any spare cables you need and even consoles which can be stored away when not in use. Both sides of the unit feature pre-cut holes so you can easily thread the wires through the back of the unit to keep everything neat, tidy and tangle free.

Argos give a guide that the unit can hold a TV whether CRT, LCD/Plasma up to 42 inches (maximum recommended weight is 70kg). We have a 40 inch plasma which seems to fit with no problems whatsoever. The top of the unit is quite wide so can easily accommodate this size. Each "media section" as Argos call it, basically the shelving is 19cm in height so an easy height for DVDs etc as well as DVD/Blu Ray players and the like. These sections are quite deep too which is ideal for those avid DVD collectors.

Now when it comes to furniture as long as it does what it offers I tend to be pleased. The fact that it already comes self assembled is a bonus as my other half very rarely has the time for anything other than work and I of course although can assemble furniture (my daughter's wardrobes and bed were built by my fair hands) it obviously saves time. It did come incredibly well packaged which of course kept it in perfect condition.

For me the TV unit is just what I wanted I wanted to keep everything either away hidden or in sight and tidy and this unit offers both. We have our Sky box in the glass door section as the remote has no problems being used through glass and as it sits back into the back of the unit you can't really see the Sky box so it does look tidy and the DVDs most of which are our daughter's are easily stacked on the shelf below. The drawer on the other side is ideal for keeping the remotes when not in use as well as any manuals for the TV, Blu Ray player as well as managing to fit a few of my daughter's books keeping them out of the way.

The unit is incredibly easy to maintain as it requires a quick polish and it given it has constant sticky little hands touching it and cats who like to sit on it and in it, it manages to easily come up looking as good as new without much effort. Of course the glass does need looking after and the item being made of wood can get easily scratched should you not take care with it but since having mine about 8 months now it still looks exactly the same as when we bought it.

Overall, if you are looking for a nice, modern TV unit then this definitely should be considered. It is well made, structurally very sound and has been put together incredibly well. It comes in other wood effects too so you are not stuck with walnut should you prefer another. Not the cheapest around but as we bought the items as a three piece package it worked out better but it is definitely worth considering if you have the money for it as it is a lovely piece to add to your living room.